A.H. Fox C Grade CE Ejectors 12 GA Side by Side SXS Shotgun, MFD 1912 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4600
LSB#: 210218LW01
Make: A.H. Fox Gun Co.
Model: CE Grade
Serial Number: 20405
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1912 (https://www.doublegunshop.com/dgsnos1.htm)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″
Action Type: Top Break Side by Side Box Lock Hammerless Shotgun with Ejectors
Markings: The top of the right barrel is marked “KRUPP FLUID STEEL MADE BY”, the top of the left “A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA.”. The bottom of the right barrel is marked “FLUID – STEEL – KRUPP – ESSEN-“, the left barrel flat is marked “C”, “20405” and the right with an ovalled “FOX / PROOF” and “12 GA.”. Each side of the receiver is marked “ANSLEY H. FOX” above fowl scenes, there is a dog scene on the bottom, the receiver and trigger plate have Grade C engraving with motif continuing on the guard, forend iron and chambers. The water table is marked “PAT’D DEC. 2. 1902 / AUG.1???1905 / OCT?????” on the left with “20405” and “C” on the right. The bottom tang is marked “20405”. The top of the forend iron is marked “PAT’D / AUG. 18-1904 / MAY 11-1909 / MAY 2-1911” and “20405”.
Barrel Length: 30”
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Full, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead mounted to the front of the rib. The top of the rib is finely serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, round-bottom pistol grip, straight comb and solid orange rubber London Guns buttpad. There are a few nicks on the top-right edge of the forend toward the front and a couple at the rear edge on the bottom. There is an odd grid-pattern of very minor wear on the left of the buttstock behind the grip. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 3/8″ and 13 1/2″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttpad, 13 5/8″ and 12 3/4″ to the back of the wood. The pad has minor wear, mostly at the heel. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 5/8″. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine-Excellent condition as professionally restored.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Professionally Restored
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its current metal finish. There is some minor operational wear, concealed when assembled and the action closed. There is infrequent, very minor erosion under the finish, most notable at the muzzles. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the water table patent marking is shallow and incomplete. Overall, this shotgun is in about Excellent condition as professionally restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Ansley Fox was one of the earliest American innovators with internal hammer double guns. In 1894, at the age of 19, he was issued a patent on a system of cocking the internal hammers of a break-action gun using leverage from the barrels with his design actually containing nineteen patentable features, according to the U.S. Patent office. Fox would continue on, making it his life’s work to produce “The finest gun in the world” (as well as the finest car in the world and a few other manufacturing ventures). He even gained the praise of Theodore Roosevelt who wrote to Mr. Fox in a letter “The double-barreled shotgun has come, and I really think it is the most beautiful gun I have ever seen. I am exceedingly proud of it. I am almost ashamed to take it to Africa and expose it to the rough usage it will receive. But now that I have it, I could not possibly make up my mind to leave it behind. I am extremely proud that I am to have such a beautiful bit of American workmanship with me”. The A.H. Fox Gun Co. would continue producing shotguns of various grades and chambered for various gauges through the late 1920s, when they fell victim to the Great Depression and were acquired by Savage Arms. This example is a 12 gauge CE Grade, produced in 1912, fairly early for an A.H. Fox. Today, A.H. Fox shotguns are quite collectible. As Fox’s reputation was built on quality, their success didn’t necessarily mean that a huge number of guns were made. This example has been professionally restored, and quite well done. The case color is vibrant and strong, the engraving is still crisp and clear, and the wood looks fantastic. Better still, with its bright bores and tight lockup, this shotgun can still serve, more than 100 years later, to take down flesh or clay birds in style. Please see our photos and good luck!